Archive: 17 October – 23 October 2011

The Telegraph was among the news organisations, which also included the Times and the Daily Mail, who reported the giant slipper story as true. Photograph: Screengrab

A man orders a size 14.5 slipper for his unusually large foot and receives a 1,450 instead after a 'translation' error. The hilarious picture story was reported by the Times, Telegraph and Daily Mail. But is it true? Polly Curtis finds out.

The Treasury faces a £1.8bn higher bill for benefits. Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Shock inflation figures show that the cost of living is increasing at a faster rate than the government expected. With benefits, pensions and tax credits all linked to September's inflation figures, what will it mean for the government's spending plans? Polly Curtis reports